Monday, March 28, 2011

What is the Reward?

Michael E. Wood
March 22, 2011

Hebrews 11:1, 6

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those that seek Him
.

What an amazing thing that we would be granted the gift of God, which is God Himself through faith in His Son. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9) And thus faith given by God could also be defined as the embrace of God which brings us to Himself both salvifically and eternally for the praise of His glory.

This faith enables us to seek the invisible God with the full assurance that we will find Him, for it is He who makes possible what would be impossible without Him. Because of His mercy, it is He who is pleased to make it possible to please Him through the sacrificial death; the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was buried for our offences and raised for our justification, proving that He is God, who came in the flesh and now sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for those given to Him of the Father. Thus, by Christ alone, we draw near to God in full assurance that He is our Reward!

What is the reward for which we seek?
But God alone; Who saves the meek!
As from Him comes the faith to hear,
And gives the grace, that we draw near.
And by these things we seek to please
And love Him more than all of these
Sin infected, fleeting pleasures,
Worldly wealth, and fleshy treasures.


Reproach with Christ we more esteem;
Far greater wealth, as the redeemed.
A better country is our desire,
A heavenly one with angel choir,
And seek the city God prepared
With those alone through Christ, He spared.
Oh, for His pleasure now endure
As seeing Him Who makes us pure,
And out of weakness makes us strong
To the praise of His glory to Whom we belong.

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